Imagine this: You go initially to medieval markets as a guest, begin to fall in love with the ambience, and dress up for the first time in costume. You then begin to love the experience even more, and want to spend even more time at markets and therefore decide to set up your first medieval camp.
Either way, most of the people started their medieval camps like this. The beginning especially seems like one great big adventure; you learn, tinker, work and enjoy the community feeling. And so, to make it easier for you to get started, here are some tips on your first basic equipment list.
In the course of European history, the sword has undergone many changes. While the swords of the Lazio period were still relatively uniform and simple, over the centuries, diverse and complex sword forms developed. The following article gives you a brief overview of the most important stages of development of European swords.
In our current episode of “Hieb- und stichfest!” – our video series on Facebook – we introduced you to various medieval outfits. The entire video can be found at the bottom (just click on the last point in the table of contents). So that you can also look again in detail, what exactly we used in the garment, we give you an overview here.
The life of the children in the Middle Ages cannot be described in more general terms, as it was determined by many different factors. These include the origin, social status of the family, place of residence and gender. In general, the children of rich bourgeois families and aristocrats had a better life than children of poor peasants. In addition, infant mortality was very high, and many fatal diseases were rampant during this period.
Especially now, due to closed kindergartens and schools, it is sometimes a challenge to have children permanently at home. Both young and old soon begin to bang their heads against the wall in frustration. Luckily, the weather slowly gets better, and then the garden or the nearby forest calls. We’ve put together some ideas on how to add value to the kid’s playtime during these difficult times. Don’t just let them stare at the television, help them get out and relive history!
When we think about a medieval noblewoman, our brain often produces images like that: Sweeping cuts, opulent fabrics, expensive colors and valuable accessories. In fact, during the thousand years of the Middle Ages, fashion trends changed the style of the garments significantly. In our blog post we are devoted to the garb of the noblewoman in the course of the Middle Ages.
There are several reasons why someone wants to make their own chain mail armour (hauberk, coif, aventail etc). On the one hand, you can have a free hand in terms of the overall finished dimensions, materials and decorations. On the other hand, it is great to finally hold your self-made chain mail as an actual finished piece at the end.
There is also the work itself. And no, we don’t want to gloss over anything that you may find difficult: Especially for beginners, the work at the beginning is not easy. You need patience, perseverance and to keep an eye on your handiwork as things progress. But once you’ve started, weaving chain mail has an almost meditative effect, and its creation is a great hobby that will give you many satisfying hours. Weaving chain mail is a great hobby. In this article, we will show you step by step how to knot the 4-in-1 pattern. Here we go!
Nowadays, the use of toilet paper is a matter of everyday course for us in Europe. We only think about it if someone has forgotten to replace the empty roll. But toilet paper in the Middle Ages, or even in ancient times …was there any? And what were the alternatives? We took a deep look into historical latrines.
The first toilet paper in East Asia
In fact, toilet paper was first made in East Asia from so-called rice straw paper in the 6th century. Paper itself has been around since the 2nd century BC, at least as a material for packing and upholstery. In 589, the Chinese scholar Yan Zhitui was the first to mention toilet paper: “Paper on which there are quotations or commentaries from Five Classics or the names of sages, I dare not use toilet for purposes” (Needham, Science and Civilization, 123.). An Arab traveller wrote in 851 during a stay in China: “… [The Chinese] do not wash themselves with water when they have done their necessities; but they only wipe themselves with paper” (ibid.).
In the 14th century, a production of 10 million packs of toilet paper per year was documented in present-day Zhejiang. Each pack consisted of 1000 to 15,000 sheets. In 1393, 730.00 sheets were delivered to the imperial court, 15,000 of them to the imperial family of Emperor Hongwu. The toilet paper of the imperial family was not only particularly soft, but even perfumed.
Historical alternatives to toilet paper
Wooden rods resembling spatulas from the Nara period, so-called “chugi”, had the end wrapped in cloth and were probably used for cleaning after going to the toilet. The modern toilet paper in the picture is only used to illustrate the size. (c)Wikimedia Commons image; Chris 73; creative commons cc-by-sa 3.0 license.
People have always used nature to do their business. In the Salzberg near Hallstatt, the oldest salt mine in the world, archaeologists discovered pest root leaves, which are believed to have been used as toilet paper since the Bronze Age. In Bavaria, this plant is still known today by the popular term “Arschwurzen” (ass-roots).
Furthermore, rounded ceramic pieces called pessoi (singular: pessos; English: pebbles) were used in ancient times to wipe with. According to a Greek proverb that calls for moderation, “three stones are enough to wipe”. Today, one might say that toilet paper does not grow on trees.
Toilet hygiene in ancient Rome
The procedure was a little more sophisticated in ancient Rome. There, ordinary people in public toilets sometimes shared a so-called tersorium or spongia. This is a stick with a natural sponge (from the Mediterranean) attached to the end, basically a slightly softer toilet brush
The stick had to be long because of the construction of public facilities. Roman toilets are composed of long marble benches with holes at the front (where you would need the stick) and on top. Dividing walls and doors did not exist.
Most Romans wore probably nothing underneath their tunics. So they would just pull the back of the tunic up and sit on the toilet, while the tunic’s front still covers their modesty. When they finished their ‘business’ they would wet the spongia, as there is a channel of running water at their feet. Without revealing anything – they not even had to stand up – they pushed it through the front hole and wiped themselves. After use, the sponge was rinsed on the stem in salt water or vinegar; ready to use for the next person.
While the East Asian population in the Middle Ages was already busy using toilet paper, the rest of the world were far from thinking about it. In Europe, wealthier people used wool, rags and scraps of fabric to wipe themselves off. The ordinary people knew how to clean themselves with leaves, moss, straw, hay or simply by hand and water. It is not without reason that the left hand is considered unclean in many cultures (especially Islamic ones). It was used to improve body hygiene, while the right hand was to eat and greet with.
When the traded toilet paper first arrived in Europe from Asia in the 11th century, it was still very expensive, so it was probably used more for writing.
In the Hanseatic city of Tartu in Estonia, a total of 3,200 textiles from medieval latrines of several households were studied. The conclusion was that the higher the social status of the inhabitants, the higher the quality of the textile residues used as toilet paper. Wealthier households left behind fine, soft pieces of wool worn clothes, sometimes even with silk appliqués.
On the other hand, rough, simple substances were found in the latrines of the socially lower households. (Riina Rammo: Textile finds from medieval cesspits in Tartu: technology, trade and consumption)
Modern toilet rolls
The American Joseph Gayetty is considered the inventor of modern toilet paper. In 1857, the paper was first launched on the market, not yet as a roll, but packed in boxes and soaked in aloe. The perforated toilet paper arranged in rolls as we know it today has only been around since the end of the 19th century.
Making your own chain mail requires a lot of patience, but it is also a deeply satisfying job. In our online shop, you’ll find all the necessary materials.
